Nate, son of Matt and Nicky, is a lifelong City supporter, following his grandfather and his mother’s family.
Matt, Nate’s dad, wrote to the Club in October 2023 highlighting his son’s love for announcing, hoping to encourage him.
Looking back, Nate’s dad remembered: “I was sat thinking to myself how we could support him, give him a boost and an example of how to turn these fixations and obsessive behaviours into a real positive for him.”
He highlighted his son’s obsession for watching the matchday announcer and the repetitive practicing, which had grown over a long period of time.
Commenting on his son’s passion, his dad said: “He would much prefer to sit there watching the team coming back out onto the pitch and announcing that than watching the game.”
Afterwards, Matt reflected the whole family’s views in saying that they were “shocked and surprised to get a wonderful response from Manchester City.”
Sitting down to discuss his son’s experience, Matt retold the journey: “First, Nate received a signed picture of Erling Haaland, which was enough of a reward in itself.
“This was followed by an offer for Nate to attend a game and come up to see the stadium announcer in action, which we did for the FA Cup home tie against Huddersfield.
“It was not only a great result for the team but also a fantastic experience seeing the professionals in action and hopefully giving him a glimpse of what he could do in the future if he really uses this avid interest that he’s got in stadium announcing.”
With his shadowing complete, Nate practiced a great deal – at least twice a day – as he counted down the days to the game in his Manchester City calendar.
Then, on Tuesday, February 20, he returned to the Etihad Stadium for his big day!
Ahead of the match, Nate announced the Manchester City team sheet to the crowd, just after a video on the in-bowl screens had introduced Nate to everyone watching and listening.
Discussing the whole experience, Nate’s dad added: “I think it has been amazing that he’s been able to experience the journey from a passion of his to it becoming a realisation through Manchester City. It has been an amazing experience for him.”
Commenting on the whole experience, Nicky, Nate’s mum, said: “We’re blown away” and, expressing the perspective of them both, added simply: “As parents, for us it’s just a dream come true.”
Nate, from all the boys in Blue, well done and thank you.
